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Gold’s Gleam: Caution Amid The Rally

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 26, 2025

Gold prices are surging, with the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) fund up about 11% in 2025 and returns climbing roughly 42% over the past year. Gold futures, too, are on the rise—up around 10% year-to-date and 36% higher than last year. By contrast, the S&P 500 has barely moved in 2025, gaining only 1.5%, and has risen 17% over the past year.

Yet, as the allure of the precious metal intensifies, seasoned investors are urging restraint. Certified financial planner Lee Baker of Claris Financial Advisors recalls, “I didn’t get any calls from clients about gold a year ago. Now, I get them regularly.” He cites Warren Buffett’s timeless advice: “Be cautious when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful.” Baker warns that while the current fervor is tempting, the typical investor should limit gold allocation to no more than 3% of a diversified portfolio—lest they fall into the classic trap of buying high and selling low.

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Why are gold prices on the rise? The answer lies in its enduring reputation as a safe haven during turbulent times. Investors flock to gold amid uncertainty, with recent US sanctions against Russia acting as a turbocharger for returns. These sanctions have spurred central banks, particularly in China, to boost their gold purchases instead of U.S. Treasury bonds, aiming to safeguard their reserves from potential geopolitical strife. Moreover, many see gold as a hedge against inflation, even though the data supporting that view remains mixed.

Samir Samana, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, notes, “In times of real crisis, bonds have shone brighter than gold.” His perspective underscores that while gold may shine during periods of high uncertainty, its rally might be unsustainable without a prolonged crisis.

For investors, the takeaway is clear: while gold’s current surge offers attractive returns, caution is paramount. As the market faces potential headwinds, following Buffett’s contrarian wisdom may help avoid the pitfalls of an overheated market. In the world of investing, where timing is everything, it’s not just about chasing returns—it’s about staying disciplined when the herd runs wild.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Property Sales: Statutory Compliance Is Essential To Transaction Security

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 9, 2026

Newly activated enforcement procedures by Cyprus’s Department of Lands and Surveys raise the stakes for sellers and mortgage lenders in property transactions. Amending Law 132(I)/2023, which took effect on December 12, 2023, strengthens buyer protections and sets out specific obligations for both parties. Noncompliance can trigger significant financial penalties, making thorough preparation essential before any sale agreement is signed.

The Seller’s Obligation To Disclose Encumbrances

Sellers must attach to the sale agreement, as an integral part of it, a property search certificate setting out registered encumbrances and prohibitions. The certificate must be dated no more than five working days before the agreement is signed.

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Failure to attach the certificate may result in a fine—even if the property is free of mortgages. Under the announced penalty scale, fines are:

€500 for a sale price of up to €50,000
€1,500 for a sale price of €50,001 to €200,000
€4,000 for a sale price of €200,001 to €500,000
€10,000 for a sale price above €500,000

This requirement is more than a procedural formality. It gives the buyer timely information and can help prevent disputes, particularly when a deposit is paid or the buyer takes on substantial financial commitments. Knowing about existing encumbrances before signing allows the parties to agree on appropriate payment terms and the steps needed to release and transfer the property.

Additional Protection When A Mortgage Exists

The law also establishes a procedure that can enable a buyer, subject to the statutory conditions, to pay the agreed amount into the seller’s designated account with the mortgage lender and secure the transfer of the property.

Where the relevant encumbrances are limited to a pre-existing mortgage or a previously deposited sale agreement, and no prohibition applies to the owner, depositing the new sale agreement requires either the lender’s written declaration (Form A) or the buyer’s confirmation (Form C). The special procedure does not apply in the same way when other encumbrances exist, such as court-registered memos.

After receiving the amount specified in Form A, the lender must issue a payment confirmation (Form B) and take the necessary steps to release the property from the mortgage or discharge the mortgage. If the lender issues the confirmation but does not complete the required action, the director of the Department of Lands and Surveys may, subject to the statutory conditions, proceed with the release or discharge and the property transfer.

This mechanism reduces the risk of a buyer being left unable to obtain the property despite having paid the purchase price. It is particularly relevant when a seller is experiencing financial difficulty: provided the legal conditions are met, the buyer has an additional route to protection that does not depend solely on the seller’s cooperation.

Penalties for a mortgage lender’s failure to comply are tied to the mortgage amount:

€5,000 for a mortgage of up to €50,000
€15,000 for a mortgage of €50,001 to €200,000
€40,000 for a mortgage of €200,001 to €500,000
€100,000 for a mortgage above €500,000

The scale underscores the importance of lenders responding promptly and meeting their statutory obligations.

Enforcement, Transition And Appeals

On February 13, the Department of Lands and Surveys announced that procedures for imposing and collecting fines had been activated. An information and compliance transition period ran from February 16, 2026, to May 16, 2026, and has now expired.

Sellers and mortgage lenders may appeal a fine to the Minister of Interior within 30 days of receiving notification of the decision. This provides an opportunity to seek a review and present relevant factual and legal arguments. It does not, however, remove the underlying obligation to comply with the law.

Preparation Is The Best Risk Management

The new provisions connect greater transparency with more effective buyer protection. But substantial fines alone cannot secure a property transaction. That requires timely review of the title deed, accurate completion of prescribed forms, clear communication with the mortgage lender and consistent compliance with the applicable procedures.

Every party should understand both its obligations and its rights well before signing. Obtaining appropriate legal guidance in advance is more effective than trying to resolve a breach after it occurs. In property transactions, compliance is not simply a formal requirement; it is a foundation for trust and security.